The Buddha and the Borderline

My Recovery from Borderline Personality Disorder Through Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Buddhism, and Online Dating

By: Kiera Van Gelder

Narrated by: Carla Mercer-Meyer

Length: 10 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

Kiera Van Gelder's first suicide attempt at the age of 12 marked the onset of her struggles with drug addiction, depression, post-traumatic stress, self-harm, and chaotic romantic relationships - all of which eventually led to doctors' belated diagnosis of borderline personality disorder 20 years later.

The Buddha and the Borderline is a window into this mysterious and debilitating condition, an unblinking portrayal of one woman's fight against the emotional devastation of borderline personality disorder. This haunting, intimate memoir chronicles both the devastating period that led to Kiera's eventual diagnosis and her inspirational recovery through therapy, Buddhist spirituality, and a few online dates gone wrong. Kiera's story sheds light on the private struggle to transform suffering into compassion for herself and others, and is essential listening for all seeking to understand what it truly means to recover and reclaim the desire to live.

©2010 Kiera Van Gelder (P)2017 Post Hypnotic Press Inc.

BPD triumph

Her struggles are real and she works really hard to make life worth living.
Totally worth the read.
I couldn't put it down

Paradigm shifting and Inspiring

I have read this book twice in the span of 6 months. It’s like Van Gelder wrote the story of my life. Thank you so much for your contribution to the BPD community and fellow torched souls. I’m inspired to begin again.

So relatable

I suggest this book for those that seek an understanding of borderline and budda

it was helpful to hear this experience in context

Most borderline and support books read like stereo instructions. This narrative and memoir does an excellent job at personifying the experience of someone afflicted with BPD and their journey through the mental health system toward their own definition of recovery.

The only criticism I had was the lustful, nostalgic description of self harm early on. A creative choice that definitely conveys the allure of cutting, but may require a trigger warning for those who've done it in the past.

The vocal performance was good too, she reached to convey the many male voices in this story, but aside from some accents that were a little much (almost insensitive but needed) it was a good read through.

Thankful for this!

I loved getting to hear Kiera's journey. In MANY ways, I felt I was hearing my own life described. Thank you for sharing your experience, you have inspired me to continue improving, expanding, and living fully.

A difficult listen

I learned a lot from this book but am just as racially flabbergasted and exhausted with the never ending back and forth that is BPD. As a family member trying to be understanding and compassionate- I’m tried and exhausted with the realization that she will be like this her entire life.

Wow!

This book is such a gift. I am grateful for the author’s courage in writing this for other living with BPD.

Loved Every Minute of this Book

Kiera offers her deeply personal struggle with borderline personality disorder. I could feel her pain while listening to the story but I also loved her sense of humor. After reading this book I feel understood. This book has encouraged me to get the help and support that I really need. I'll probably be listening to it a second time because I enjoyed it so much. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is thinking of purchasing and to anyone who may struggle with borderline personality disorder. This book made me feel like there is hope.

Hope for BPD

The author doesn’t spare herself when writing a truthful personal account of the struggles of BPD. Dealing with drugs, alcohol, random sex and self harm such as cutting. As the parent of a teen with BPD it has given me a better understanding as to Why. I have hope with time, therapy and a desire for self awareness my daughter too will achieve balance in her life.

Professionally helpful

As a therapist I found this book helpful in guiding the way I work with clients struggling with BPD.